SR-22 Insurance Blog

If you are wondering whether you can drive someone else’s car while having an SR-22 on your driving record, the short answer is yes, you can. However, the requirements vary state by state, so it is always a good idea to check with your DMV to confirm. For some states, you may be required to have a non-owner SR-22 insurance, especially if you have been convicted of a DUI. It may also be helpful to note that an Operator’s Certificate will allow you to drive any car that you do not own.

Most people don’t become familiar with an SR-22 until they find themselves in a situation where they need to. Going through the process of filling out an SR-22 can be a new and stressful process for many. It’s common to assume that an SR-22 is just another type of insurance, but this is actually not true. An SR-22 is not an insurance policy, but rather an additional piece of documentation to attach on to your current insurance policy. It certifies that you meet the minimum state requirements for liability insurance following a serious traffic offense, or multiple offenses, in a short period of time. In other words, an SR-22 is not an insurance policy, but a form that you are legally required to have in addition to your normal car insurance for a time period designated by a court or state.

DUIs are a pretty serious driving offense, and receiving one can affect multiple aspects of your life for the long-term. If you have been charged with a DUI, an SR-22 is one of multiple aspects of the legal process you will need to go through. With a DUI on your record, you are now considered a “high risk” driver, and can expect to pay the highest insurance rates. Conditions regarding SR-22s and DUIs vary across state lines and insurance companies. The average length of time that an individual who now has an SR-22 as a result of a DUI charge will have to fulfill the requirements for an SR-22 for at least three years. In most cases, you can also expect your current monthly insurance payment to increase by 80%, on top of additional costs and fees associated with obtaining an SR-22. The original copy of the SR-22 certificate will remain on file with the carrier’s local DMV, as long as the carrier or DMV doesn’t cancel before terms are fulfilled, and you will not be required to file every year.

Being required to fill out an SR-22 can feel overwhelming and trapping. It’s inconvenient, restrictive, and will jack up your monthly insurance payments. The good news is that you will not need to have an SR-22 forever.

An SR-22 is typically thought to be a type of insurance, but it’s not. An SR-22 is simply an “add-on” certificate that you have been ordered to provide to your insurance provider after a serious driving offense. Reasons why you may be requested to fill out an SR-22 include, but are not limited to: reckless driving, multiple traffic offenses (such as speeding tickets) in a short period of time, DUI or DWI, driving without auto insurance coverage, causing an accident without having insurance coverage, or driving with a suspended or revoked license.